Technology could protect domestic abuse victims

Thursday

Oct 31, 2013 at 7:59 PMOct 31, 2013 at 7:59 PM

By Melody Burrimelody@messengerpostmedia.com

Ontario County Sheriff Philip Povero Wednesday urged all victims of domestic violence who have been granted orders of protection by family courts in Ontario County to register with SAVIN-NY to receive alerts when those orders are served.Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a press release last week promoting the use of the SAVIN-NY program, which uses NY-ALERT (www.nyalert.gov) to send notifications of service to domestic violence victims 24 hours a day, seven days week via text message, e-mail, fax and automated phone call.The New York State Sheriffs’ Association Institute partnered with New York to make the SAVIN system available in Ontario County and across upstate, as well as on Long Island.“The period of time immediately following the service of orders of protection can be dangerous for victims,” said Povero. “When a family court order of protection is served on an abuser, ensuring that the victim is notified in a timely manner could be critical for their safety and for effective enforcement of the order.”Cuomo said the SAVIN system will allow victims of domestic violence to take appropriate steps to protect themselves and their loved ones from further harm."I encourage victims to sign up for this service as soon as possible,” Cuomo said in a statement Oct. 23.Much progress has been made in the past two decades, Povero said, to raise awareness of domestic violence and to ensure that the rights of crime victims and the voices of survivors are heard, listened to and respected throughout the criminal justice system.“SAVIN helps expand and protect the rights of victims even further, using technology to provide them and their advocates critical, empowering information,” said Povero, also a member of the Sheriffs’ Association Institute Board of Directors.Ontario County residents can register to receive SAVIN-NY alerts by visiting www.nyalert.gov and clicking on the “Orders of Protection” box on the left menu. Individuals who register with SAVIN also can identify additional individuals to be notified when orders of protection are served, such as advocates, attorneys, friends or family members.Individuals also can log on to the system to check whether orders of protection are served, if they don’t wish to receive alerts. Domestic violence victims’ advocates also can enroll and use the caseload tool, which allows them to receive notification of service for orders of protection for multiple victims.Povero also reminded residents that there are programs in Ontario County to assist domestic violence victims, and victims of other crimes. Victims may contact Family Counseling Service of the Finger Lakes, Inc. (FCSFL), 671 S. Exchange Street, Geneva, at (315) 789-2613.FCSFL Domestic Violence Program Supervisor Jessica DeFazio said any notification system that lets victims know what's going on is good news. When an order of protection is issued, the victim needs to know when it has actually been served. Orders of protection aren't necessarily there to keep a victim safe, said DeFazio. They are more to hold a perpetrator accountable."It tells her that now he knows an order has been served and if he violates it, he'll be breaking the law," said DeFazio. "Sometimes that incites further violence. Now it's on the record — he has lost control over that person."A victim may have a safety plan about how to keep herself and her children safe, DeFazio said. That may include making sure she has a phone with her at all times, or keeping her children with her.Visit www.savin-ny.org for additional information and frequently asked questions.